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Poughkeepsie–September 1… The Dutchess County Republican Committee today called out the actions of the Democratic County legislative caucus, which is resorting to cheap political “gotcha” tactics despite their own well documented history of circulating junk news.

“The people of Dutchess County expect a certain level of maturity in their elected officials,” said Katy Delgado, press spokeswoman for the Dutchess County GOP. “Legislator Rebecca Edwards’ (Town of Poughkeepsie) holier-than-thou attempt to paint her Republican colleagues as intolerant by injecting national politics rather than doing the work she was elected to do is pathetic and totally hypocritical. She and her colleagues must have short memories: Just last year, County Democrats invoked the mental health of one of their own political opponents when they launched a false attack insinuating that County Legislator Faye Garito was mentally unfit to serve. They even despicably released Ms. Garito’s Social Security number to the public. These attacks were hateful, stigmatizing and discriminatory. Yet Legislator Edwards and her colleagues now see fit to lecture all of us on respectful public discourse.”

“Respectful discourse is important,” said Delgado, “and the toxic vitriol that is poisoning our national politics can’t be allowed to seep into local politics as Legislator Rebecca Edwards is trying to do. The kind of hypocrisy she and her Democrat politician colleagues are exhibiting is exactly why people are fed up with partisan politics. Legislators Edwards and the rest of her caucus need to quit the childish games and start doing their jobs.”

Poughkeepsie, NY- DCGOP Chairman Michael McCormack had the following statement today regarding the court cases brought forward by the Democrat Party against Republican candidates around the County of Dutchess.

“ ALL cases by the Democrat Party in Dutchess County against the Republican candidates have failed this year. In an obvious attempt by the Democrats to create voter supression they forgot one fact in that they didn’t understand the law which protects voter’s rights.

The attorney for the Democrats created inept cases and the cases were thrown out in their entirety on the merits of being built on unsound ground. It was obvious that the attorney, Michael Treybich, did not either understand the law, or tried to suppress voter participation.

The Democratic County Party Dutchess County has tried to play political games, AGAIN, to pull the wool over the voter’s eyes in Dutchess County, and it didn’t work. The fact is clear that this political stunt cost the tax payers of Dutchess County money by attempting frivolous law suits in the already busy courts. The Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for these divisive tactics, but I am sure they just don’t care.

The case was clear and in the end the Law was on the side of what was right, and protected the voter’s rights in Dutchess County”

SERINO VOWS TO STAND UP FOR COMMUNITY WHEN DECLARED REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR STATE SENATE

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY—Following the decision by the Dutchess County Republican Party to nominate NYS Senator Sue Serino as their candidate for the 41st Senate District, Senator Serino vowed to continue to stand up and fight to ensure that the voice of the Hudson Valley is heard in Albany.

Senator Sue Serino said, “I have been incredibly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve my neighbors as their State Senator. Now, more than ever—with the very real threat of NYC dominated, one-party control looming in Albany—we need independent leaders who are dedicated to ensuring that our community has a voice in the process. I have made it my mission to deliver for our local community and together we can move our community forward and ensure that the values and issues that matter most to Hudson Valley residents are put first.”

Dutchess County Republican Chairman Michael McCormack said, “Sue has a heart of gold and a fighter’s passion for doing what’s right for our local community. She has always put our needs first and has successfully fought for the things that matter most to us, like lower taxes and expanded economic development opportunities. She has brought unprecedented awareness to the Lyme Disease and heroin epidemics that are hurting families across the region, and she has stood up against corruption and proposals that would negatively impact our area. She is the best person to continue representing us, and I am honored to confirm her designation as our candidate for the 41st Senate District.”

Steve Caswell, Chair of the East Fishkill Republican Committee nominated Senator Serino at the Convention which was held in Poughkeepsie. Caswell said, “Sue Serino has contributed much to our communities; as an entrepreneur, small business owner and then in public service. She knows our community and does what is right to make it better. She’s not in this for a paycheck, she’s in it for us, and it shows in all that she has accomplished for our area—from securing funding for Lyme Disease, to grant funding for local community projects, she’s fighting for the things that matter. For as long as I have known her, Sue has always stood up for what’s right and it is my honor and privilege to officially nominate her as the Republican candidate for the 41st Senate District.”

Betsy Maas, Chair of the Union Vale Republican Committee seconded the nomination of Senator Serino, Maas said, “Senator Serino has what it takes to make a difference and to improve quality of life for everyone here in our local community. Her genuine passion for putting people first has been clear throughout her time in office and her work ethic and integrity are second to none. I am proud to help nominate Senator Sue Serino because she has a proven record of effectively advocating for our local community and I know that she will continue to fight tirelessly to ensure that our community can provide the kinds of opportunity our residents need to thrive.”

We have all seen the famous ‘I Love NY’ trademark that has been a staple in souvenir stalls across the state since the late 1970s. The ad campaign played a role in bolstering the image of New York City at a time when its economy was lagging and its streets were crime ridden. The goal? Boost morale and tourism to save the City and hope that the positive impact had a ripple effect throughout the state. The logo’s legacy is cemented in the minds not only of New Yorkers, but of tourists from around the world who cannot help but think of it when they think “New York.”

Today, however, with the state more likely to top the list of highest taxed states in the nation instead of fastest growing, the headlines and sentiment have experienced a notable shift from “I Love NY” to “I Leave NY.”

It is clear that New York has an image problem and it is going to take more than flashy television ads touting our ‘open for business’ mantra to fix it. It is time for the state to shift its priorities from flashy gimmicks and contests to a reinvestment in what matters —the individuals and families that make New York great. That’s why with the state budget process underway, I am fighting for policies that invest in in our workforce, our communities, our schools, and the issues that matter to Hudson Valley residents.

Last week, the Senate passed a one-house budget resolution aimed at bolstering affordability, opportunity and security. That plan rejected the $1 billion in new taxes in fees that were proposed by the governor, while investing in the programs that put money back in the pockets of taxpayers and into programs that will open doors for residents.

Our budget proposal shuts down the disastrously under-performing programs like Start-Up NY and redirects the $44.5 million spent on advertising it to support more effective economic development initiatives.

Not only did we reject the executive’s proposed cap on the STAR property tax savings program that many New York residents depend on, we proposed making small businesses eligible for it. Doing so could save New York small businesses an estimated $275 million that they can use to reinvest in their businesses and their employees.

As Aging Committee chair, I know how important it is to ensure that our seniors have access to the resources they need to retire locally. That is why we proposed freezing school property taxes at current levels for many seniors and completely eliminate their school property taxes over the next 10 years. We also proposed increasing the private pension and retirement income exclusion from $20,000 to $40,000 for single taxpayers and to $80,000 for married taxpayers, over three years. This is the first increase since 1981, and represents a change that could potentially save NY retirees approximately $275 million.

High quality schools and post-secondary institutions play a critical role in attracting residents to our communities, and our proposal includes significant funding for education. It provides a record amount of education aid and more than doubles the foundation aid included in the governor’s proposal. Importantly, it also funds critical school safety measures that will help districts provide improved security technology, school resource officers and considers ways to improve the ratio between students and critically necessary mental health professionals. It also restores the potentially devastating cut to a program that helps to provide financial aid for students who attend area private colleges — institutions that not only employ a significant number of our local residents, but are essential to our regional economy.

The Senate’s proposal also includes unprecedented funding to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic and $1.2 million to combat the spread of Lyme and tick-borne diseases, as well as language I personally fought to have included that would represent the first major step toward addressing insurance coverage for those diagnosed with tick-borne diseases.

If we want to make New York a place where people want to live instead of leave, these are the kinds of initiatives that the state needs to be making a priority. A final state budget is expected to be voted on by April 1, and these are the types of initiatives that I will be fighting for to help move our community, and our state, forward.

Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, represents the 41st state Senate District. She is chair of the Senate Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases and of the Senate Standing Committee on Aging.

The following is an expanded version of the second item from my “Albany Insider” column from Monday’s print editions:

While state Democratic infighting continues, it’s looking like the Republican and Conservative parties will head into the governor’s race unified behind Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro.

The Conservative Party executive committee voted Friday to recommend the party back Molinaro over state Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco at its May nominating convention.

“This was not an easy choice,” Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long said. “Both candidates have had our endorsements in the past.”

Long said Molinaro’s experience as a county executive and former state assemblyman “makes him the all-away-around better candidate to take on Cuomo.”

“He provides the vision to mount a good campaign to take on Andrew Cuomo,” he said.

DeFrancisco had some support in the room, but once it became clear Molinaro was the choice, the vote to recommend him was unanimous, Long said.

Molinaro already has picked up support from enough county Republican chairs to guarantee—if it holds—that he’d be the party’s designated candidate coming out of next month’s nominating convention. DeFrancisco has said he won’t mount a primary challenge if he does not get the GOP nod.

The heavy support among Republican county leaders played a role in the Conservative Party executive committee vote, Long said.

He said it’s important for the Conservatives and GOP to be unified in order to take on Cuomo, who has more than $30 million in his campaign account and far better name recognitition.

“I’m fully aware of all those issues and so are the (party) leaders,” he said. “It’s a tough fight, but (Molinaro) gives us the best opportunity. And I believe Andrew Cuomo is in trouble. I think he knows he’s in trouble.”

Many Republicans and Conservatives believe Molinaro’s chances are boosted by the fact that actress Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo in the Democratic primary, has secured the endorsement of the Working Families Party.

Even if she loses the primary but stays on the progressive WFP line, she can draw votes away from Cuomo on the left, which could mean the Republican candidate would need less than 50% of the vote to win.

Kolb, R-Canandaigua, chose to give his support to a former Assembly colleague and longtime friend over state Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, whose core of support is in the state Senate.

“I can say with confidence that he is everything Albany needs, because he is everything that Albany is not,” Kolb said of Molinaro in a statement announcing his endorsement.

“For seven years, New York has moved down an unsustainable path, with corruption at an all-time high and public trust at an all-time low,” Kolb said. “In contrast, Marc has established himself as a proven leader who actually listens. He has been a partner to the people he serves.”

Kolb is among more than two dozen members of the New York State Republican Conference who were expected to publicly endorse Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive.

Among them is state Assemblyman Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, the first GOP member of the state legislature from Central New York to publicly part ways with DeFrancisco in the governor’s race.

Barclay told syracuse.com in an interview that it was a tough decision since he has great respect for DeFrancisco and Molinaro. But in the end he backed Molinaro, noting the two became good friends in 2006 while serving together in the Assembly.

Barclay said he liked the fact that Molinaro, 42, is a relatively young candidate who has a track record of working with people to bridge the political divide.

“I think he has the ability to bring people together and look at the executive branch a little differently,” Barclay said of Molinaro.

Molinaro surged past DeFrancisco on Friday to become the GOP front-runner, only a week after Molinaro told Republican leaders he planned to run for governor.

Molinaro has received endorsements from GOP county committees representing more than 40 percent of the weighted vote at the Republican nominating convention, due to take place in May. DeFrancisco has locked up about 20 percent of the vote.

Anyone who receives more than 50 percent of the convention vote automatically receives the GOP ballot line in the November election against Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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The County Committee is the core of the Republican Party of Dutchess County, New York. County Committee members are responsible for providing access to the ballot for our Republican candidates as well as the bulk of the ground operations that get them elected each fall. Each member is assigned to a specific Election District within their Assembly District which they help represent in meetings of the full County Committee...Read More